6 secrets to flavor-packed soup in minutes

At the end of a long and tiring day, spending a lot of time cooking dinner is not always appealing. But with a hungry family ready for dinner, you need a meal that’s quick and easy, has minimal cleanup and is healthy and satisfying.

The solution? A soup pot and some on-hand ingredients are all you need to get a wholesome dinner on the table fast. Soup is inexpensive, too; most soup recipes can be made for less than $3 a serving. Find out EatingWell’s 6 secrets to speedy soup success.

Secret #1: Have a Well-Stocked Kitchen Keeping your pantry stocked with soup-ready ingredients is the best way to ensure a flavorful healthy soup can make it onto the table. This list of kitchen staples is a starting point for some basic soup ingredients that, when kept on hand, will help you pull dinner together in a flash.

And keep in mind—the flavor of the broth will affect the final dish. Taste it first, and if it doesn’t taste good to you, try another brand until you find one that pleases your taste buds. Or make your own and freeze it for when you’re ready to cook.

Secret #3: Add Quick-Cooking Whole Grains and Pasta for Filling Fiber Whole grains and whole-grain pastas add nutritional balance and heartiness to soups. Quinoa takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook and delivers 3 grams of fiber per 1/2-cup serving. Quick-cooking barley, which cooks in 10 to 12 minutes, is technically not a whole grain, but it counts toward your whole-grain servings because of its high fiber content. Fresh or frozen whole-wheat ravioli cooks in minutes and turns a light vegetable soup into a satisfying main course. Look for whole-wheat ravioli in the refrigerated or frozen section of the supermarket. Whole-grain elbow macaroni and penne are also quick-cooking and provide a boost of fiber.

Secret #4: Use Pre-Cut Vegetables Use pre-cut vegetables as a shortcut that saves time while still creating a nutritious dish. Frozen vegetables save time, money and are always at the ready in the freezer. Plus, when fresh vegetables are out of season, choosing frozen vegetables may deliver more nutrients, since they are usually picked and frozen at the height of ripeness. Canned tomatoes and chiles also add nice flavor without much effort. And don’t be afraid to pick up some pre-cut fresh veggies in the produce section or from the salad bar, such as diced carrots, sliced peppers and precut broccoli and cauliflower florets—they eliminate time-consuming prep. Related: 12 Vegetables & Fruits You Should Buy Organic

Secret #5: Add Quick-Cooking Meats and Beans Precooked beans are a quick-cooking staple, and are a high-quality source of protein and heart-healthy dietary fiber, which keep you feeling full. A typical 1/2-cup serving provides about 7 grams of protein and up to 7 grams of fiber. (Just be sure to drain and rinse canned beans before using to reduce sodium.) Frozen boneless, skinless chicken breast, lean ground beef or lamb, wild-caught salmon fillets and lean pork chops are great, quick-cooking protein sources to use in soup. Each of these healthy protein sources can be defrosted fairly quickly; when cut into small pieces, they cook in no time and a little goes a long way. (Get 13 More Cooking Tips That Save You Money.)

Secret #6: Use Spices and Flavor-Packed Meats & Cheeses to Add Depth Add depth of flavor to quick-cooking soups by using ingredients like herbs, spices, strong cheeses and flavorful meats. A half cup of diced pepperoni adds spicy, complex flavor to minestrone. Adding 2 teaspoons of dried tarragon to salmon chowder gives the soup a unique character. Grated Parmesan, ground allspice, caraway seeds and even peanut butter are all great ingredients to add a slow-cooked feel to a quick-cooking soup. Find out what 1 spice to add to your soup to boost your metabolism here.